I walked into a show GVSB was opening as they began.....
ted offensive | pacifica, california United States | 11/03/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"....to play 'Learned It'. Never heard of them before, but they stopped me in my tracks. Truly one of the most concussively powerful, rocking, moments in all of my show experience. I managed to close my mouth after another song or two, bought the cd from the tour table, and after all these years, this cd resides in my 'top 50 fave' booklet. I believe this is the best example of their musical vision.
Oh, Quicksand and Helmet were great that night, too."
Brutal charm at its best
Camden Joy | 11/13/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This might be my favorite GVSB recording... although Cruise Yourself--that's pretty close. This band is good at something that's very hard. They're passionate and mysteriously alluring without once being articulate or especially melodic. This succeeds where many raw garage bands fail by virtue of an upfront brawny distortion-voiced singer and a dancey band that's recorded as if live in some idealized beer-dank opium den. The vibes of this CD remind me of what myth-man Joseph Campbell once noticed, that modern society is too obsessed with meanings while more ancient cultures revered instinct and emotionalism. This is ancient culture stuff. It's groovy music for dumb moods."
An all time favorite
Camden Joy | 02/12/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The quintessential GVSB record. There's not a bad song on it. It's a crime more critics didn't list this on their Best Of The Decade list because that's what it is."
Caution- Ear Plug Zone Ahead
Camden Joy | 07/19/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the first CD of GVSB I ever had, and i have to admit, the first time i played i was shaken by the way the two bass players mixed their heavy, rocking sound with the keyboard, the guitar, and drums. From Eli Janney's astounding distorted bass just filling my ears with sound, to Alexis Fleisig's impressive drum technique, i was riveted. Scott McCloud's scratchy, low singing is a feast for the ears and goes perfectly with the mood swings that exist in this CD. Johnny Temple's melodic tones as he crams his bass to the max really touched me. Their live show only accentuates them, blowing you into the wall with a tangible wall of sound. For anyone contemplating this CD, get it. It is a sound investment and you won't be disappointed."